The New England Patriots are in the midst of an intriguing offseason, especially when it comes to their offensive line strategy. Last year, they made bold moves by revamping their starting lineup to protect quarterback Drake Maye.
A significant part of this overhaul was introducing two rookies, Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, on the left side. Campbell, the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft, has already secured his spot at left tackle for the upcoming season, as confirmed by head coach Mike Vrabel.
However, Wilson's role could see some evolution as the Patriots explore his versatility.
Drafted as a center and snagged in the third round at 95th overall, Wilson was hailed as a steal for the Patriots. Despite his prowess as a center, he spent his rookie season at left guard, a decision that saw him and Campbell make history as the first rookie duo to start on the offensive line in a Super Bowl. This move was partly due to the Patriots signing veteran center Garrett Bradbury, who brought stability and experience to the center position after joining from the Minnesota Vikings.
Bradbury's performance last season was stellar, allowing no sacks and committing zero penalties over 1,070 snaps. With such a strong showing, he remains a cornerstone of the Patriots' offensive line heading into 2026.
This leaves Wilson in an interesting position. While he has the potential to be a future center for New England, his immediate future seems to be at guard, where he can continue to develop his skills.
Wilson's rookie season had its ups and downs. While Pro Football Focus ranked him among the lower-tier guards, he only allowed seven hits and four sacks on 28 pressures, with just three penalties. His resilience was evident as he played more games than many of his draft peers and achieved a higher approximate value than most.
The idea of Wilson transitioning to center is tempting, but with Bradbury's consistency and reliability, it might be best for the Patriots to keep Wilson at guard for now. Coach Vrabel emphasized the importance of flexibility and preparation, noting that Wilson has been trained to step in as a starter whenever needed.
In the end, the Patriots seem poised to maintain their current setup. With Bradbury anchoring the line at center and Wilson gaining more experience at guard, the team can offer Maye the protection and consistency he needs.
As the saying goes, "if it’s not broken, don’t fix it." For New England, this approach seems to be the right play for the upcoming season.